Orange Soda & Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Happy First Day Of Summer :)

What a great day regardless of how little

sleep was had the night before.

I spent many hours working in my garden today

And for those that don't know me, I am not

a get down in the dirt kinda girl.

But I do love my garden and so I 

 must put on my "big girl garden panties"

and ignore all the gross and sometimes

dangerous foes that lurk.

My garden has a lot of flowers in my very 

favourite colour scheme.

" PORANGE"

Not sure what this is?

Well it is one of the best colour combos ever!

Pink and Orange.

But not just any shade of those two.

Especially the orange... it must be a shade

of tangerine to be acceptable.

The pink is hot, but not too hot.

And when these two  are put together,

I am happy, happy, happy.

So it only makes sense to finally bake

up something using this colour scheme.

And since it is summer and we will

probably be eating our fair share of junk food,

why not put it all in a cupcake?

Who doesn't love cotton candy while

washing it down with orange soda?

Sugar Coma anyone??

Orange Soda & Cotton Candy Cupcakes:    (makes about 12 large)

Preheat oven to 350 F

Line cupcake pan

1 box vanilla cake mix ( I used Betty Crocker )

3 eggs

1/2 cup canola oil

1 cup orange soda ( whatever is your favourite )

In a medium bowl mix the cake mix, eggs and oil together.

Slowly add the orange soda, then beat until smooth.

Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3  full.

Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool completely.

Cotton Candy Frosting : 

2 1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 - 2 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pink Cotton Candy ( about a hand size )*

In a stand mixer combine icing sugar, butter and milk.

Blend well. Add vanilla and beat until smooth.

Add cotton candy and mix well.

Scrape out of bowl and set aside.

Orange Frosting :

2 1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 - 2 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon orange extract ( or orange liquor )**

orange food colouring***

Combine sugar, butter and milk in stand mixer.

Blend together then add flavouring and colour.

Beat on high until fluffy, adding more milk if needed.

Using a large piping bag and a large tip ( 2D or 1M ),

scoop cotton candy frosting inside making sure

that it is on one side of bag.

Then scoop  orange frosting into bag placing it opposite

the cotton candy frosting,

This will allow frosting to have a twisted effect when piped.

Frost cupcakes and finish with sprinkles.

Don't you love Porange too??

* if cotton candy is hard to find just use more vanilla

   or if you have cotton candy extract  that would be best

   plus add a little pink food colouring

** add more or less orange flavouring to your liking

*** use red and yellow if orange colouring is not available